Nigerian workers are calling for a 50% wage increase to help cope with the country’s high inflation. This demand was made by a senior official of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in an interview with DAILY POST.

Although the minimum wage was raised in July 2024, workers say that the increase has been wiped out by the rising cost of living. The NLC is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to review wages, as inflation continues to hurt Nigerians.

The workers’ call for a wage increase comes after a meeting with government officials, where it was agreed that inflation was a major issue. The NLC plans to formally request a wage review soon. They also criticized the government’s economic policies, which they feel are making life harder for ordinary Nigerians.

One of the key reasons for the wage demand is the rapid increase in fuel prices. Since the last wage increase, fuel prices have risen sharply. In July 2024, the price of fuel was about N770 per liter, but by January 2025, it had increased to between N935 and N1,100 per liter. This rise in fuel prices has led to higher costs for goods and services, further impacting workers’ purchasing power.

The NLC believes that the N70,000 minimum wage approved in July 2024 no longer meets the needs of workers. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, inflation has reached over 34%, with food prices increasing even more, making life even more difficult for workers.

Additionally, the NLC has expressed concerns about proposed changes to tax laws in Nigeria. They are asking the government to raise the tax exemption threshold from N800,000 to N1.5 million per year. They argue that the current tax structure would require many workers to pay more taxes, even though they are already struggling to afford basic goods.

Instead of introducing more taxes, the NLC believes the government should focus on reducing the financial burden on workers. As inflation continues to rise, the NLC insists that wages must be adjusted to help workers keep up with the cost of living.

The demand for a wage increase highlights the growing gap between workers’ earnings and the soaring cost of living in Nigeria. The NLC is calling for urgent action from the government to ensure that Nigerian workers can continue to support themselves and their families in these tough economic times.